Chapter 4

I burst out laughing.

"Excellent! Simply excellent!"

This Seraphina, she was the legitimate daughter of the Li family.

I had almost forgotten that Seraphina and Elias were childhood sweethearts.

Their families had arranged their marriage when they were mere children.

And my own brother, Alaric, had been tutored by the Old Lord Thorne since childhood.

He had spent every day with Elias, making them childhood companions as well.

In that brief moment, I understood completely why my Luna wasn't in this courtyard.

Why all the plum trees had been replaced by peach blossoms.

Why all her belongings were now on another woman.

I raised my head, my gaze cold and detached, looking at the two men.

Upon seeing my face clearly, Elias immediately dropped to his knees, his forehead pressed to the ground.

My dear brother, Alaric, instantly withdrew his hand from Sera's.

A fawning look on his face, he rushed forward, kicking away the guards who held me, and reached out to pull me up.

"Cassandra, the army wasn't due back for days! Why did you return early? And why didn't you tell me?"

I slapped his hand away. He stumbled, caught by a guard behind him.

"Get lost. A mere common wretch like me wouldn't dare let His Majesty personally assist her."

Sera scurried over, pointing at me. "How dare you! Even if you are a Princess, you cannot disrespect His Majesty!"

I sneered, raising my hand and slapping her.

"What do *you* think you are, to lecture *me*?"

Sera clutched her cheek, tears glistening in her eyes, looking pitifully at Alaric.

"Cassandra, are you insane?"

Alaric pulled Sera up, sheltering her behind him, and roared at me.

I sneered, stepping past him, straight to Sera, and pinched her chin.

"Your father is the Minister of Rites. By all accounts, the legitimate daughter of the Li family should be the most proper and dignified of women. How is it that you've managed to waltz into your sister-in-law's home and take charge? Is this the 'upbringing' of the Li family?"

Sera's face turned ashen, her lips trembling as if about to cry.

Alaric rushed forward, pushing me away.

"Cassandra, do you truly need to humiliate Sera like this?"

He glared at me. "You've been at the borders for years, Cassandra. How did you become so cruel and petty?"

"Sera is a gentle soul, without a hint of malice or cunning. Are you trying to drive her to her death with such words?"

"Luna snatched Sera's rightful place as the Lady of the Dukedom. Now, it's merely a return to its rightful owner."

I finally lost my temper and slapped Alaric across the face.

Years ago, my King doted on my Queen, my mother.

But my mother, targeted by these very same schemes, was framed, cast aside, and ultimately forced to take her own life to prove her innocence.

Alaric and I fell out of favor, endured countless slights, eating rotten scraps and moldy bread, living worse than the lowliest servants in the palace.

At the Royal Autumn Ball, I secretly hoarded pastries, intending to save them as food for Alaric and me. It was then that Luna found me hiding in a dark corner.

"Princess Royal, when a kingdom falls, no one is safe."

"Our kingdom is on the brink of collapse, yet the court nobles care only for their own pleasures."

She told me that after our kingdom fell, I would be captured by an enemy general, become his trophy, utterly broken and discarded, and meet a tragic end.

"Princess Royal, you are the heroine of this story, meant to be a phoenix revered by all, soaring above the heavens."

"Your Highness, let us go to the borders."

Luna used her own wealth to secure a safe, secluded cottage for Alaric.

We went to the borders.

Luna taught me strategy and how to lead armies.

Time and again, when men in the military questioned me, attempting to steal my glory and claim my achievements, she protected me and turned danger into opportunity.

We repeatedly turned the tide of battle, reclaiming conquered territories.

Whenever I was in danger, she was always the first to rush forward and shield me.

But she never claimed any credit for herself.

"Your Highness, I came for you. I ask for no rewards. I only wish for your future to be one of flourishing beauty and radiant glory."

With her by my side, I became Veridia's first female general, commanding vast armies.

Luna quietly stepped back, marrying Elias Thorne.

But what arrived before the King's decree of my death was Luna.

I led my troops into the throne room, forcing my King to abdicate.

Alaric, protected by Luna, was able to ascend the throne.

But now, my dear brother had forgotten everything.